--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The theory of the method of knowing which…" description: "\"The theory of the method of knowing which is advanced in these pages may be termed pragmatic. ... Only that which has been organized into our dispositi..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e43/john-dewey-545_aim_the-theory-of-the-method-of-knowing-whic_1987379.jpg" --- # The theory of the method of knowing which is advanced in… ![“The theory of the method of knowing which is advanced in these pages may be termed pragmatic. ... Only that which has been organized into our disposition so as to enable us to adapt the environment to our needs and adapt our aims and desires to the situation in which we live is really knowledge.” quote by John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e43/john-dewey-545_aim_the-theory-of-the-method-of-knowing-whic_1987379.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e43/john-dewey-545_aim_the-theory-of-the-method-of-knowing-whic_1987379.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e43/john-dewey-545_aim_the-theory-of-the-method-of-knowing-whic_1987379.jpg) > “The theory of the method of knowing which is advanced in these pages may be termed pragmatic. ... Only that which has been organized into our disposition so as to enable us to adapt the environment to our needs and adapt our aims and desires to the situation in which we live is really knowledge.” [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Knowledge is what lets us shape the world and adjust our goals to fit our circumstances. **In simple terms:** Knowledge lets us adapt and shape our world. Key Takeaway Use knowledge to align goals with reality. Themes pragmatism knowledge adaptation Mood thoughtful analytical Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - education reform - design thinking - policy planning - personal development Key Concepts empiricism instrumentalism Questions to Reflect On - How do you test if your knowledge truly serves your needs? - What limits does context place on what counts as knowledge? A Different Perspective Knowledge alone cannot guarantee ethical outcomes without reflection. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Desire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desire/) [Environment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/environment/) [Environmental](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/environmental/) [Knowledge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knowledge/) [Pragmatic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pragmatic/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) ## Related quotes > [Communication is a process of sharing experience till it becomes a common possession. It modifies the disposition of both the parties who partake in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/communication-is-a-process-of-sharing-experience-till-it-becomes-a/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) > [In undeveloped social groups, we find very little formal teaching and training. Savage groups mainly rely for instilling needed dispositions into the young upon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/in-undeveloped-social-groups-we-find-very-little-formal-teaching-and/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) > [ \[T\]he schools, through reliance upon the spur of competition and the bestowing of special honors and prizes, only build up and strengthen the disposition… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/t-he-schools-through-reliance-upon-the-spur-of-competition-and-the/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) > [The school has the function of coordinating within the disposition of each individual the diverse influences of the various social environments into which he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/the-school-has-the-function-of-coordinating-within-the-disposition-of/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) > [Since a democratic society repudiates the principle of external authority, it must find a substitute in voluntary disposition and interest; these can be created…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/since-a-democratic-society-repudiates-the-principle-of-external/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) > [A man can be prevented from breaking into other persons' houses by shutting him up, but shutting him up may not alter his disposition…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/a-man-can-be-prevented-from-breaking-into-other-persons-houses-by/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) > [In a world that has so largely engaged in a mad and often brutally harsh race for material gain by means of ruthless competition,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/in-a-world-that-has-so-largely-engaged-in-a-mad-and-often-brutally/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) > [“When you are intense, you will do things persistently and with speed”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunday-adelaja/when-you-are-intense-you-will-do-things-persistently-and-with-speed/) [Sunday Adelaja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunday-adelaja/) > [What good the prophet in the wilderness may do is incremental and personal. It's good for us to hear someone speak the irrational truth.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-saunders/what-good-the-prophet-in-the-wilderness-may-do-is-incremental-and/) [George Saunders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-saunders/) > [“Your net worth depends on your added value”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunday-adelaja/your-net-worth-depends-on-your-added-value/) [Sunday Adelaja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunday-adelaja/) > [“Your intensity increases your productivity”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunday-adelaja/your-intensity-increases-your-productivity/) [Sunday Adelaja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunday-adelaja/) > [“Always put your heart into and show commitment in whatever you do”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunday-adelaja/always-put-your-heart-into-and-show-commitment-in-whatever-you-do/) [Sunday Adelaja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunday-adelaja/) > [I think that all people that get to a certain level of their celebrity are brands. I accept that. I don't value it in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shania-twain/i-think-that-all-people-that-get-to-a-certain-level-of-their/) [Shania Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shania-twain/) > [Germany will continue to play a central - perhaps even a more important - role in the European Union. I think that we will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-claude-juncker/germany-will-continue-to-play-a-central-perhaps-even-a-more-important/) [Jean-Claude Juncker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-claude-juncker/) > [“Pragmatic Programmers are different. We are driven to find our bugs now, so we don't have to endure the shame of others finding our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-hunt/pragmatic-programmers-are-different-we-are-driven-to-find-our-bugs/) [Andrew Hunt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-hunt/) ## More by John Dewey > [“The deepest urge in human nature is the desire to be important.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/the-deepest-urge-in-human-nature-is-the-desire-to-be-important/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) > [“Empirically, things are poignant, tragic, beautiful, humorous, settled, disturbed, comfortable, annoying, barren, harsh, consoling, splendid, fearful; are such immediately and in their own right…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/empirically-things-are-poignant-tragic-beautiful-humorous-settled/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) > [A good aim surveys the present state of experience of pupils, and forming a tentative plan of treatment, keeps the plan constantly in view…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/a-good-aim-surveys-the-present-state-of-experience-of-pupils-and/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) > [Experiences in order to be educative must lead out into an expanding world of subject matter, a subject matter of facts or information and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/experiences-in-order-to-be-educative-must-lead-out-into-an-expanding/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) > [A tribe, let us say, is warlike. The successes for which it strives, the achievements upon which it sets store, are connected with fighting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/a-tribe-let-us-say-is-warlike-the-successes-for-which-it-strives-the/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) > [The phrase "think for one's self" is a pleonasm. Unless one does it for one's self, it isn't thinking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/the-phrase-think-for-one-s-self-is-a-pleonasm-unless-one-does-it-for/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) > [Doctrine that eliminates or even obscures the function of choice of values and enlistment of desires and emotions in behalf of those chosen weakens…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/doctrine-that-eliminates-or-even-obscures-the-function-of-choice-of/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) > [There is no such thing as educational value in the abstract. The notion that some subjects and methods and that acquaintance with certain facts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/there-is-no-such-thing-as-educational-value-in-the-abstract-the/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) > [Men live in a community in virtue of the things which they have in common; and communication is the way in which they come…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/men-live-in-a-community-in-virtue-of-the-things-which-they-have-in/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) > [We can have facts without thinking but we cannot have thinking without facts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/we-can-have-facts-without-thinking-but-we-cannot-have-thinking/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) > [But progress in knowledge has made us aware of the superficiality of Plato's lumping of individuals and their original powers into a few sharply…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/but-progress-in-knowledge-has-made-us-aware-of-the-superficiality-of/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) > [Even the alleged benefits of war, so far as more than alleged, spring from the fact that conflict of peoples at least enforces intercourse…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/even-the-alleged-benefits-of-war-so-far-as-more-than-alleged-spring/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) > [“When the organization called soul is free, moving and operative, initial as well as terminal, it is spirit. Qualities are both static, substantial, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/when-the-organization-called-soul-is-free-moving-and-operative/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) > [Since in reality there is nothing to which growth is relative save more growth, there is nothing to which education is subordinate save more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/since-in-reality-there-is-nothing-to-which-growth-is-relative-save/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) > [Creative thinking will improve as we relate the new fact to the old and all facts to each other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/creative-thinking-will-improve-as-we-relate-the-new-fact-to-the-old/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) [Explore all 486 John Dewey quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) ## More Aim quotes > [If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zig-ziglar/if-you-aim-at-nothing-you-will-hit-it-every-time/) [Zig Ziglar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zig-ziglar/) > [A good aim surveys the present state of experience of pupils, and forming a tentative plan of treatment, keeps the plan constantly in view…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/a-good-aim-surveys-the-present-state-of-experience-of-pupils-and/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) > [The Christian man must aim at that complete obedience to God in which life finds its highest happiness, its greatest good, its perfect consummation,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-barclay/the-christian-man-must-aim-at-that-complete-obedience-to-god-in-which/) [William Barclay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-barclay/) > [ He \[an earnest young reporter\] seemed to share the view of many intelligent, well-educated, well-meaning people that, while adult literature may aim to be… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-paterson/he-an-earnest-young-reporter-seemed-to-share-the-view-of-many/) [Katherine Paterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-paterson/) > [In Bosnia, little children shot in the head by a guy who thinks it's okay to aim his gun at a child.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christiane-amanpour/in-bosnia-little-children-shot-in-the-head-by-a-guy-who-thinks-it-s/) [Christiane Amanpour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christiane-amanpour/) > [Design certainly has a cosmetic, aesthetic aim. It always aims at making things beautiful. But relevance is just as important. I often say, 'If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yves-behar/design-certainly-has-a-cosmetic-aesthetic-aim-it-always-aims-at/) [Yves Behar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yves-behar/) > [My aim was to make money for the bank. You lose track of the amounts involved when you are engaged in this kind of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerome-kerviel/my-aim-was-to-make-money-for-the-bank-you-lose-track-of-the-amounts/) [Jerome Kerviel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerome-kerviel/) > [My only aim is to clock a time that everyone remembers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hima-das/my-only-aim-is-to-clock-a-time-that-everyone-remembers/) [Hima Das](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hima-das/) > [My main aim has always been to do good quality films with roles that have some substance. With Power and Beauty there were loads…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natasha-henstridge/my-main-aim-has-always-been-to-do-good-quality-films-with-roles-that/) [Natasha Henstridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natasha-henstridge/) > [ I really enjoyed it - being involved in watching rushes and playback \[in "The Invisible Woman"\]. Ralph \[Fiennes\] was very open to my input,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felicity-jones/i-really-enjoyed-it-being-involved-in-watching-rushes-and-playback-in/) [Felicity Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felicity-jones/) > [My aim is to be counted among the top players.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/babar-azam/my-aim-is-to-be-counted-among-the-top-players/) [Babar Azam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/babar-azam/) > [The single aim of my life is that every child is: free to be a child, free to grow and develop, free to eat,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kailash-satyarthi/the-single-aim-of-my-life-is-that-every-child-is-free-to-be-a-child/) [Kailash Satyarthi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kailash-satyarthi/) > [The aim of good prose words is to mean what they say. The aim of good poetical words is to mean what they do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-k-chesterton/the-aim-of-good-prose-words-is-to-mean-what-they-say-the-aim-of-good/) [Gilbert K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-k-chesterton/) > [Prescribing hard work for the soft, or easy work for the hardy, is generally nonsense. What is always needed in any aim is right…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idries-shah/prescribing-hard-work-for-the-soft-or-easy-work-for-the-hardy-is/) [Idries Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idries-shah/) > [To be normal is the ultimate aim of the unsuccessful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-jung/to-be-normal-is-the-ultimate-aim-of-the-unsuccessful/) [Carl Jung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-jung/) Browse all 3,047 Aim quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The theory of the method of knowing which is advanced in these pages may be termed pragmatic. ... 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